The Jabiru Hybrid Renewable Project has won the 2022 Asian Power Awards’ Solar Power Project of the Year – Australia in recognition of its success in the Northern Territory, Australia.
Since the power station was switched on in February 2022, it has drawn on 100% solar energy to supply Jabiru during the day. The battery stores the excess solar energy produced to extend renewable energy penetration beyond daylight hours. This enables the power station to deliver more than 50% renewable energy.
Jabiru has decreased its diesel consumption by approximately 1.7 million litres per year, significantly reducing its carbon footprint and exposure to volatile fuel prices. Converting Jabiru’s previous 100% fossil-fuelled electricity supply to hybrid renewable energy abates 6,000 tonnes of CO2-e, per year, which is comparable to removing 1,600 cars off the road annually. This enables Jabiru to contribute towards the Northern Territory Government’s efforts to achieve its target of 50% renewable energy by 2030.
The power station has a modular design that will enable future expansions as Jabiru grows or new technologies emerge to provide even higher renewable energy penetration. Learnings from the project could substantially benefit seven million people who live in rural and remote Australia (28% of the population), and more worldwide.